U.S. patent application number 14/795920 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-05 for system for facilitating welding in an enclosed structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to Caterpillar Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Caterpillar Inc.. Invention is credited to Danny L. McCaherty, Huijun Wang.
Application Number | 20150314402 14/795920 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54354533 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150314402 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wang; Huijun ; et
al. |
November 5, 2015 |
SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING WELDING IN AN ENCLOSED STRUCTURE
Abstract
A system for facilitating welding along an opening defined in a
first plate of an enclosed structure is disclosed. The system
includes a support device adapted to be inserted between the
opening of the first plate. The support device includes a first
support member and a second support member adjustably coupled to
the first support member. The support device includes a magnet
member adapted to detachably couple the second support member to a
second plate of the enclosed structure. A pusher member is
partially received within a channel of the first support member. A
pin member is adapted to selectively engage with one of a plurality
of teeth of the pusher member. A backing member is adapted to close
the opening from within the enclosure. Further, a cord member is
used to move the pusher member and bias the backing member into
contact with the first plate.
Inventors: |
Wang; Huijun; (Peoria,
IL) ; McCaherty; Danny L.; (Washington, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Caterpillar Inc. |
Peoria |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Caterpillar Inc.
Peoria
IL
|
Family ID: |
54354533 |
Appl. No.: |
14/795920 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
228/44.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23K 37/06 20130101;
B23K 9/0356 20130101; F16L 13/02 20130101; B23K 37/04 20130101;
B23K 37/0435 20130101; B23K 9/035 20130101; B23K 37/0533
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B23K 37/04 20060101
B23K037/04 |
Claims
1. A system for facilitating welding along an opening defined in a
first plate of an enclosed structure, the enclosed structure
further having a second plate spaced apart from the first plate,
the system comprising: a support device adapted to be inserted
between the opening of the first plate and supported on the second
plate, the support device comprising: a first support member having
a first end and a second end, the first support member defining a
channel extending from the first end along a first direction; a
second support member adjustably coupled to the first support
member to adjust a length between a first end of the first support
member and an end of the second support member distal to the first
support member; a magnet member attached to the end of the second
support member distal to the first support member, the magnet
member adapted to detachably couple the second support member to
the second plate of the enclosed structure; a pusher member
comprising a pushing portion and an elongate portion extending from
the pushing portion, wherein the elongate portion adapted to at
least partly received within the channel, and wherein the elongate
portion comprises a plurality of teeth; a housing coupled to the
first support member proximal to the first end thereof; a pin
member at least partly received within the housing, the pin member
adapted to selectively engage with one tooth of the plurality of
teeth of the elongate portion to allow unidirectional incremental
movement of the pusher member along a second direction opposite to
the first direction, wherein the pin member is disposed
substantially perpendicular with respect to the elongate portion of
the pusher member; a spring member received within the housing, the
spring member configured to bias the pin member into engagement
with one tooth of the plurality of teeth of the elongate portion;
and a cord member coupled to the pusher member, the cord member
adapted to move the pusher member along the second direction; and a
backing member adapted to close the opening from within the
enclosure, wherein the backing member is inserted through the
opening and supported on the pushing portion of the pusher member,
and wherein the cord member is pulled to move the pusher member
along the second direction to bias the backing member into contact
with the first plate to close the opening from inside within the
enclosure.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system for facilitating
welding in an enclosed structure, and more particularly, to a
system for facilitating welding along an opening defined in a plate
of the enclosed structure.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Enclosed structures, such as a boom member of a machine, may
experience cracking failures due to prolonged operation. Such
cracking failures are repaired by gouging and welding the enclosed
structure at the crack location. In order to perform welding, a
weld root opening is defined in a plate along the location of the
crack in the enclosed structure. Further, a backing member made
from a steel or nonmetallic material, such as a ceramic tile, is
required to close the weld root opening from bottom of the plate
and to perform welding operation along the weld root opening to
repair the cracking failure in the enclosed structure. However, the
enclosed structure does not provide any access for an operator to
support the backing member from bottom of the plate and perform
inspection of the weld seam. Thus, repairing of the enclosed
structure by welding may become a complicated and time consuming
process.
[0003] European Patent Number 1864744A1 (the '744 patent) discloses
a clamping device for a weld seam-backing member. The clamping
device includes a backing member pressing against two work pieces
having a welding gap therebetween. A rod extends through the
backing member and has an exposed upper portion extending through a
narrower portion of the welding gap into a wider portion of the
welding gap. An elastic element is mounted between a bottom face of
the backing member and an abutting portion on a lower portion of
the rod to bias the backing member to press against the work
pieces. The upper portion includes a hooked section having a first
width smaller than a width of the narrower portion and a second
width perpendicular to and larger than the width of the narrower
portion. The rod is turnable to a position in which the second
width of the hooked section presses against the work pieces under
the action of the elastic element. However, the clamping device of
the '744 patent is used for supporting the backing device against
two separate work pieces and not an enclosed structure. In
particular, it may be difficult and time consuming to use the
clamping device to support the backing member from within the
enclosed structure.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for
facilitating welding along an opening defined in a first plate of
an enclosed structure is disclosed. The enclosed structure further
has a second plate spaced apart from the first plate. The system
includes a support device adapted to be inserted between the
opening of the first plate and supported on the second plate. The
support device includes a first support member having a first end
and a second end. The first support member defines a channel
extending from the first end along a first direction. The support
device further includes a second support member adjustably coupled
to the first support member to adjust a length between a first end
of the first support member and an end of the second support member
distal to the first support member. The support device also
includes a magnet member attached to the end of the second support
member distal to the first support member. The magnet member is
adapted to detachably couple the second support member to the
second plate of the enclosed structure. The support system also
includes a pusher member having a pushing portion and an elongate
portion extending from the pushing portion. The elongate portion is
adapted to be at least partly received within the channel. The
elongate portion also includes a plurality of teeth. The support
also includes housing coupled to the first support member proximal
to the first end thereof.
[0005] The support device includes a pin member at least partly
received within the housing. The pin member is adapted to
selectively engage with one tooth of the plurality of teeth of the
elongate portion to allow unidirectional incremental movement of
the pusher member along a second direction opposite to the first
direction. The pin member is disposed substantially perpendicular
with respect to the elongate portion of the pusher member. The
support device further includes a spring member received within the
housing. The spring member is configured to bias the pin member
into engagement with one tooth of the plurality of teeth of the
elongate portion. The support device also includes a cord member
coupled to the pusher member. The cord member is adapted to move
the pusher member along the second direction. The system further
includes a backing member adapted to close the opening from within
the enclosure. The backing member is inserted through the opening
and supported on the pushing portion of the pusher member. Further,
the cord member is pulled to move the pusher member along the
second direction to bias the backing member into contact with the
first plate to close the opening from within the enclosure.
[0006] Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be
apparent from the following description and the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an exemplary
enclosed structure having an opening, according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a backing member of a system
to close the opening from inside of the enclosed structure,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a support device of the
system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIGS. 4A to 4C illustrate a partial sectional view of the
support device of FIG. 3 in various configurations;
[0011] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a method of disposing the support
device within the enclosed structure, according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0012] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a method of disposing the backing
member within the enclosed structure, according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure; and
[0013] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a method of engaging the system
with the backing member, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments
or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference
numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same
or corresponding parts.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a partial perspective view of an
exemplary enclosed structure 100 requiring weld repairing. The
enclosed structure 100 is used in various applications, such as
off-road and on-road vehicles. In an example, the enclosed
structure 100 may be an elongate member of a boom assembly used in
excavator for performing earth moving operations. In an embodiment,
the enclosed structure 100 may correspond to a hollow metallic
structure having all sides closed such that inside of the hollow
metallic structure is not accessible from outside of the hollow
metallic structure. In other embodiments, the enclosed structure
100 may correspond to a metallic plate in a machine structure or
any other structure having only one side accessible from outside.
In various embodiments, the enclosed structure 100 may have any
shape and size.
[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, the enclosed structure 100 is
an elongate member having a first plate 102 and a second plate 104
spaced apart at a height `H` from the first plate 102. The enclosed
structure 100 further includes a pair of side plates 106 extending
between the first plate 102 and the second plate 104 to define a
space 108 within the enclosed structure 100. End plates of the
enclosed structure 100 are not shown in FIG. 1 for clarity.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 110 is defined in the first
plate 102. The opening 110 extends between an outer surface 102A
and an inner surface 102B of the first plate 102. To facilitate
welding of the first plate 102 along the opening 110, a system 101
(shown in FIG. 9) is disposed within the enclosed structure 100.
The system 101 will be described in detail later with reference
FIGS. 2 to 9. The opening 110 is defined in the enclosed structure
100 when repairing of the enclosed structure 100 is required due to
damages, such as cracking failures, occurs due to prolonged
operation. The opening 110 may be defined in the enclosed structure
100 along a direction of the crack (not shown) to remove the crack
and form a weld seam along the opening 110.
[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 110 is defined
longitudinally along a length of the first plate 102. Further, the
opening 110 defines a longitudinal axis `LA` along a length
thereof. In an embodiment, the opening 110 has a first width `W1`
adjacent to the outer surface 102A of the first plate 102 and a
second width `W2` adjacent to the inner surface 102B of the first
plate 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the second width `W2` is
less than the first width `W1` of the opening 110. In other
embodiments, the first width `W1` and the second width `W2` may be
equal. In various embodiments, the first width `W1` and the second
width `W2` of the opening 110 may vary based on various parameters
including, but not limited to, a thickness of the first plate 102
and a thickness of the weld seam that is to be defined in the first
plate 102.
[0019] The opening 110 defined in the first plate 102 is closed by
the system 101 from inside of the enclosed structure 100 for
welding the first plate 102 along the opening 110. The system 101
includes a backing member 112 (shown in FIG. 2) for closing the
opening 110 at the second width `W2` and a support device 122
(shown in FIG. 3) for supporting the backing member 112 from inside
of the enclosed structure 100.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the backing member 112,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2, the backing member 112 is adapted to be disposed
adjacent to the inner surface 102B of the first plate 102 to close
the opening 110 from inside of the enclosed structure 100.
Thereafter, welding of the first plate 102 may be performed along
the opening 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the backing member
112 is an elongate member having a length `BL` and a width `BW`.
The length `BL` of the backing member 112 is longer than the length
of the opening 110 and the width `BW` of the backing member 112 is
greater than the second width `W2` of the opening 110. The backing
member 112 includes a first surface 112A and a second surface 112B
distal to the first surface 112A. The backing member 112 further
defines a thickness `BT` extending between the first surface 112A
and the second surface 112B. The thickness `BT` of the backing
member 112 is less than the second width `W2` of the opening 110.
The first surface 112A of the backing member 112 is adapted to abut
the inner surface 102B of the first plate 102 during welding of the
first plate 102 along the opening 110.
[0021] Further, the backing member 112 includes a number of through
holes 118 defined along a central axis `CA`. At least one through
hole 118 is defined adjacent to both ends of the backing member
112. In the illustrated embodiment, the backing member 112 is made
from a ceramic material. In another embodiment, the backing member
112 may be made from a combination of a ceramic plate and a steel
plate. In such a case, the ceramic plate may be adapted to contact
with the inner surface 102B of the first plate 102. In yet another
embodiment, the backing member 112 may be made from multiple
ceramic plates. Further, each of the ceramic plates may include at
least one through hole 118.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the support device
122 of the system 101, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the support device 122 is
adapted to be disposed within the enclosed structure 100. The
support device 122 is adapted to be inserted between the opening
110 of the first plate 102 and supported on the second plate 104.
Further, the support device 122 is adapted to support the backing
member 112 from inside of the enclosed structure 100 for welding
the first plate 102 along the opening 110. Specifically, the
support device 122 is adapted to be engaged with the second surface
112B of the backing member 112 to support the backing member 112
within the enclosed structure 100. The support device 122 is
rotatable about a rotation axis `RA` defined along a length
thereof.
[0023] The support device 122 includes a first support member 124
having a first end 126 and a second end 128. The first support
member 124 defines a first channel 130 extending from the first end
126 along a first direction "D1". The first support member 124
further defines a second channel 132 extending from the second end
128 along a second direction `D2` opposite to the first direction
"D1". In the illustrated embodiment, the first support member 124
has a circular cross section defining an outer diameter `A1`. The
outer diameter `A1` is smaller than the second width `W2` of the
opening 110 such that the first support member 124 may be inserted
through the opening 110. In other embodiments, the cross section of
the first support member 124 may be square, rectangular,
elliptical, polygonal or any other suitable shape.
[0024] The support device 122 further includes a second support
member 134 adjustably coupled to the first support member 124 to
adjust a length between a first end 126 of the first support member
124 and an end 136 of the second support member 134 distal to the
first support member 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the second
support member 134 has a circular cross section defining an outer
diameter `A2`. The outer diameter `A2` is smaller than the second
width `W2` of the opening 110 such that the second support member
134 may be inserted through the opening 110. In other embodiments,
the cross section of the second support member 134 may be square,
rectangular, elliptical, polygonal or any other shape.
[0025] The second support member 134 further includes a protruding
portion 138 adapted to be at least partly received within the
second channel 132 of the first support member 124. In an
embodiment, the second support member 134 may include threads (not
shown) adapted to engage with corresponding threads (not shown) of
the first support member 124. Further, a length of the protruding
portion 138 received within the second channel 132 of the second
support member 134 may be varied such that a length of the support
device may be adjusted based on the height `H` of the enclosed
structure 100. The support device 122 further includes a magnet
member 140 attached to the end 136 of the second support member 134
distal to the first support member 124. The magnet member 140 is
adapted to detachably couple the second support member 134 to the
second plate 104 of the enclosed structure 100. In an embodiment,
the magnet member 140 is attached to the second support member 134
via adhesives. However, in various alternate embodiments, the
magnet member 140 may be coupled to the second support member 134
via welding, fasteners, and the like.
[0026] The support device 122 further includes a pusher member 142.
The pusher member 142 is configured to contact the backing member
112. The pusher member 142 includes a pushing portion 144. In the
illustrated embodiment, the pushing portion 144 is an elongate
member having a circular cross section. The pushing portion 144 has
a diameter `A3`. The diameter `A3` is less than the second width
`W2` of the opening 110 such that the pushing member 142 may be
inserted through the opening 110. In other embodiments, the cross
section of the pushing portion 144 may be circular, rectangular,
elliptical, polygonal or any other suitable shape. In the
illustrated embodiment, the outer diameter `A1` of the first
support member 124, the outer diameter `A2` of the second support
member 134, and the diameter `A3` of the pushing portion 144 are
substantially equal.
[0027] The pushing portion 144 further includes an abutment surface
147. The abutment surface 147 of the pushing portion 144 is adapted
to abut the second surface 112B of the backing member 112. The
pusher member 142 further includes an elongate portion 146
extending from the pushing portion 144 along the second direction
`D2`. The elongate portion 146 is adapted to be at least partially
received within the first channel 130 of the first support member
124. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongate portion 146
includes a plurality of teeth 148. The pusher member 142 further
defines a cord channel 149 to receive a portion of a cord member
154 therethrough. The cord member 154 is coupled to the pusher
member 142. In an embodiment, the cord member 154 is coupled to the
pusher member 142 via adhesives. Alternatively, a thick portion
(not shown) may be formed at the end of the cord member 154. The
thick portion of the cord member 154 may be received in a wide
portion 155 of the cord channel 149 to detachably couple the cord
member 154 with the pusher member 142. However, in various
alternate embodiments, the cord member 154 may be coupled to the
pusher member 142 via various other methods, such as retaining
projections, fasteners, and the like. The cord member 154 is
adapted to move the pusher member 142 along the second direction
`D2`. Further, the cord member 154 may also be adapted to dispose
the backing member 112 inside the enclosed structure 100.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4C, the support device 122 further
includes a housing 150 coupled to the first support member 124
proximal to the first end 126. The housing 150 may be coupled to
the first support member 124 via various methods such as welding,
adhesives, fasteners, and the like. In an alternate embodiment, the
housing 150 and the first support member 124 may be a unitary
component. The housing 150 further defines a cavity 157 defining a
transverse axis `TA` perpendicular to the rotation axis `RA`. The
cavity 157 includes a first portion 161 and a second portion 163
adjacent to the first portion 161. Further, the second portion 163
is proximal to the first support member 124. In the illustrated
embodiment, a diameter of the second portion 163 is less than a
diameter of the first portion 161. Further, a flange 171 is formed
at an interface between the first portion 161 and the second
portion 163.
[0029] The system 101 further includes a pin member 158 at least
partly received within the housing 150. The pin member 150 is
disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to the elongate
portion 146 of the pusher member 142. The pin member 158 includes a
first pin portion 166 adapted to be received within the second
portion 163 of the cavity 157. The pin member 158 further includes
a flange portion 167 supported on the flange 171 of the housing
150. Therefore, a movement of the pin member 158 along the
transverse axis `TA` towards the pusher member 142 is prevented.
The pin member 158 also includes a second pin portion 173 partly
received within the second portion 163 of the cavity 157.
[0030] The pin member 158 is adapted to selectively engage with one
of the teeth 148 of the elongate portion 146 to allow
unidirectional incremental movement of the pusher member 142 along
the second direction `D2`. Specifically, the pin member 158 and
each of the teeth 148 form a ratchet and pawl arrangement that
allows incremental movement of the pusher member 142 along the
second direction `D2`. Further, movement of the pusher member 142
along the first direction `D1` is prevented once the pin member 158
is engaged with one of the teeth 148 of the elongate portion
146.
[0031] The support device 122 also includes a spring member 162
received within the second portion 163 of the housing 150. The
spring member 162 is configured to bias the pin member 158 into
engagement with one of the teeth 148 of the elongate portion 146.
Further, the system 101 includes a cap member 164 coupled to the
housing 150. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap member 164 is
coupled to the housing 150 via locking projections 165.
Alternatively, the cap member 164 may be coupled to the housing 150
via a threaded coupling, fasteners, adhesives, welding, and the
like. The cap member 164 is adapted to retain the spring member 162
within the housing 150. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring
member 162 is supported between the flange portion 167 of the pin
member 158 and a wall of the cap member 164. In the illustrated
embodiment, the spring member 162 is a coil spring. Further, the
cap member 164 defines an opening such that the second pin portion
173 may extends out of the cap member 164. The second pin portion
173 may be moved along the transverse axis `TA` against the biasing
force of the spring member 162 in order to disengage the pin member
158 from the teeth 148 of the elongate portion 146.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 4A, an end 145 of the elongate portion 146
is spaced apart form the second end 128 of the first support member
124. The first pin portion 166 is engaged with one of the teeth 148
located in an intermediate position along the elongate portion 146.
As shown in FIG. 4B, the pin member 158 is moved along the
transverse axis `TA` perpendicular to the first direction `D1` such
that the pin member 158 may disengage with the teeth 148 of the
elongate portion 146. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4B, the pusher
member 142 is moved along the second direction `D2` within the
first channel 130 of the first support member 124. As shown in FIG.
4C, the second pin portion 173 released such that the spring member
162 biases the pin member 158 into engagement with the tooth 148
located adjacent to the pushing portion 144. In a similar manner,
the pin member 158 may be disengaged from the teeth 148 and the
pusher member 142 adjusted within the first channel 130 such that
the pin member 158 is engaged with a suitable tooth 148. This
enables a length of the support device 122 to be varied based on
the height `H` of the enclosed structure 100.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 4C and 5, the support device 122 defines
an overall length `OL` extending between the abutment surface 147
of the pusher member 142 and the magnet member 140. The overall
length `OL` of the support device 122 is less than the height `H`
of the enclosed structure 100 such that the support device 122 may
be vertically disposed between the first and second plates 102, 104
of the enclosed structure 100.
[0034] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an exemplary method of disposing
the support device 122 within the enclosed structure 100. The
support device 122 is inserted through the opening 110. In an
exemplary embodiment, the enclosed structure 100 may be located on
a work surface (not shown) and the opening 110 is defined in the
first plate 102. The opening 110 is defined at a location in the
enclosed structure 100 where a cracking failure is occurred. In an
embodiment, the opening 110 may be defined by a gouging process,
such as air carbon arc gouging or plasma gouging. However, in other
embodiments, the opening 110 may be defined by various machining
process, such as drilling, milling, grinding, filing, tapering or a
combination thereof.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the support device 122 is
inserted within the enclosed structure 100 through the opening 110
at a first orientation. In the first orientation, the housing 150
and the pin member 158 are aligned at an angle with respect to the
longitudinal axis `LA` of the opening 110. The support device 122
is then rotated about the rotation axis `RA` such that the housing
150 is aligned with the longitudinal axis `LA` of the opening
110.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the support device 122 is
inserted within the enclosed structure 100 while supported by the
cord member 154. Further, the magnet member 140 attached to the end
136 of the second support member 134 is adapted to contact the
second plate 104 of the enclosed structure 100. As the overall
length `OL` of the support device 122 is less than the height `H`
of the enclosed structure 100, once the support device 122 is
vertically disposed within the enclosed structure 100, the backing
member 112 may be inserted within the enclosed structure 100
through the opening 110 and supported on the pusher member 142.
[0037] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an exemplary method of disposing
the backing member 112 within the enclosed structure 100. Referring
to FIGS. 2 and 7A, the backing member 112 is inserted within the
enclosed structure 100 through the opening 110. The cord member 154
is inserted through each of the plurality of second through holes
118 to hold the backing member 112 in a first position `FP`. The
cord member is inserted through the second through holes 118 such
that a loop is formed. In an embodiment, another string may also
may also be inserted through one of the through holes 118 during
insertion of the backing member 112. This may enable actuation of
the pusher member 142 by the cord member 154 after insertion of the
backing member 112.
[0038] In the first position `FP`, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, a
plane defined by the width `BW` of the backing member 112 is
oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis `LA`. Further, the
thickness `BT` of the backing member 112 is aligned with the second
width `W2` of the opening 110. As the thickness `BT` of the backing
member 112 is less than the second width `W2` of the opening 110,
the backing member 112 may be inserted within the enclosed
structure 100 through the opening 110. Further, as the length `BL`
of the backing member 112 is longer than the length of the opening
110, one end of the backing member 112 is inserted through the
opening 110 initially to dispose the backing member 112 within the
enclosed structure 100.
[0039] Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the backing member 112 is
allowed to move from the first position `FP` to a second position
`SP` due to self-weight. In the second position `SP`, the backing
member 112 is aligned with the opening 110 and the plane defined by
the width `BW` of the backing member 112 becomes parallel to the
first plate 102.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 8, the backing member 112 is further moved
towards the first plate 102 along the rotation axis `RA` to contact
the backing member 112 with the first plate 102. The cord member
154 is pulled upwards such that the first surface 112A of the
backing member 112 contacts with the inner surface 102B of the
first plate 102. Thus, the opening 110 is closed from inside of the
enclosed structure 100 by the backing member 112.
[0041] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an exemplary method of engaging the
system 112 with the enclosed structure 100. As shown in FIG. 8, the
backing member 112 is moved towards the pusher member 142 along the
rotation axis `RA` to contact the abutment surface 146 of the
pusher member 142. As shown in FIG. 9, the cord member 154 is
pulled upwards to move the pusher member 142 along the second
direction `D2` to bias the backing member 112 into contact with the
first plate 102 to close the opening 110 from inside within the
enclosed structure 100. Specifically, the first surface 112A of the
backing member 112 contacts with the inner surface 102B of the
first plate 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongate
portion 146 moves within the first channel 130 such that the pin
member 158 engages a tooth 148 located at an intermediate position
along the elongate portion 146. Thus, the opening 110 is closed
from inside of the enclosed structure 100 by the backing member
112. Further, portions of the cord member 154 lying outside the
enclosed structure 100 may be cut. Remaining portions of the cord
member 154 may melt along with the welding material during welding
of the first plate 102.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0042] The present disclosure relates to the system 101 to assist
the operator to weld the first plate 102 of the enclosed structure
100. The system 101 is disposed within the enclosed structure 100
to close the opening 110 via the backing member 112 and supporting
the backing member 112 via the system 101. According to the present
disclosure, as the support device 122 is inserted through the
opening 110, the backing member 112 is supported from inside of the
enclosed structure 100 without any additional modification in the
enclosed structure 100. Thus, welding of the enclosed structure 100
is performed from outside of the enclosed structure 100 in a short
duration at lower costs. Further, inspection of the weld quality is
also performed from outside of the enclosed structure 100.
[0043] While aspects of the present disclosure have been
particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments
above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the
modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without
departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such
embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the
present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any
equivalents thereof.
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